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Wednesday, September 30, 2026 |
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Dear Neighbors,
There has been a lot happening across Cupertino over the past few weeks, with community celebrations, cultural events, programs supporting local businesses, and new opportunities to get involved.
Recent highlights have included the 13th Annual Fall Bike Fest, the Heritage India Faire, and Pumpkin Palooza, each bringing neighbors together to enjoy Cupertino’s active and diverse community. Local businesses also learned digital marketing strategies at a recent workshop. We also celebrated 30 years of Cupertino’s citywide garage sale, a longstanding tradition that promotes reuse and connects neighbors across the community.
October brings even more opportunities to connect with our community. Cupertino Restaurant Week returns October 5 through 11, offering a chance to explore the diverse restaurants that make our city such a vibrant place to live and visit. We are also excited to welcome Hashi Market, which opens October 9 and adds another unique destination for residents and visitors.
This month, we are welcoming a new year of service from our Youth Activity Board members and Teen Commissioners. Their enthusiasm, ideas, and commitment to the community are inspiring, and we look forward to the contributions they will make throughout the year.
We also invite residents who have recently completed a building permit to participate in our Building Permit Streamlining Survey. Your feedback will help us better understand what is working well and where improvements can be made. You will find more information below about upcoming events, transportation updates, local businesses, and ways to connect with the City. I hope to see you out in the community in the weeks ahead.
Finally, I was pleased to join fellow local government professionals at the Municipal Management Association of Northern California Annual Conference this week, where I had the honor of serving on a panel and sharing perspectives from my experience as a City Manager with current and aspiring public service leaders. Investing in the next generation of public service professionals is essential, and I appreciated the opportunity to contribute to conversations on leadership, organizational excellence, and the evolving role of local government in serving our communities.
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Warm Regards,
 Tina Kapoor
City Manager
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Wolfe Road to Northbound I-280 Ramp Closure
VTA has updated the start date for the long-term closure of the Wolfe Road on-ramp to northbound I-280 as part of the I-280/Wolfe Road Interchange Improvements Project. The closure is now scheduled to begin on the evening of Friday, October 2, 2026, instead of September 25, and is expected to remain in place for approximately one year. During the closure, drivers traveling northbound on Wolfe Road to northbound I-280 will be directed to use the existing loop on-ramp. Visit vta.org/280wolfe for project updates and additional information.
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Building Permit Streamlining Survey
The City of Cupertino is seeking feedback from customers who have recently completed the building permit process. Input from residents, contractors, design professionals, and businesses will help identify opportunities to improve services and streamline the permitting experience.
The Building Permit Streamlining Survey is open through Tuesday, October 20, and takes approximately three to five minutes to complete. Feedback will help the City evaluate current processes and identify areas for improvement.
Complete the survey at cupertino.gov/permitsurvey.
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Cupertino’s Teen Leaders Start New Term
Cupertino’s teen leadership groups are starting a new year of service. The Youth Activity Board (YAB) kicked off their September 9 meeting with 14 members who will help plan events and bring a youth perspective to Parks and Recreation programs.
The City also welcomed five new Teen Commissioners and five returning commissioners, who will spend the year sharing ideas and providing input on issues affecting Cupertino teens.
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Start Planning Your Restaurant Week Experience
Check out the list of participating businesses for this year's Cupertino Restaurant Week at cupertino.gov/explore. The 2nd annual Cupertino Restaurant Week will take place from Monday, October 5 through Sunday, October 11. This weeklong celebration invites residents and visitors to explore Cupertino's diverse dining scene while enjoying exclusive special offers and promotions from participating restaurants throughout the city.
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Hashi Market Opening Soon
Hashi Market has announced that its official grand opening will take place on Friday, October 9, at 10 a.m. The new Japanese market, located at 20558 Stevens Creek Blvd., is activating a retail space that has been vacant since 2023 and was most recently occupied by Sprouts Farmers Market. The new business expands Cupertino’s retail offerings by providing residents and visitors with access to a wide selection of Japanese groceries, specialty products, and prepared foods while contributing to the city’s vibrant business community.
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Preferred Bank Now Open
Preferred Bank opened its new Silicon Valley Regional Office at 20803 Stevens Creek Boulevard, bringing new activity to a 3,280 square-foot space that had been vacant since 2019. Formerly occupied by The Vitamin Shoppe, the location is now open to customers Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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Jingege & YaoYao Now Open in Cupertino
Another new business recently opened in Cupertino. Jingege & YaoYao, located in Marketplace at 19628 Stevens Creek Blvd., opened in late August in a 4,370-square-foot space. The restaurant specializes in Chinese cuisine and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Its opening adds to the range of dining options available to residents and visitors in Cupertino.
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Specialty's Café & Bakery Coming to Cupertino
Another exciting addition is on the way to Cupertino. Specialty’s Café & Bakery will bring new life to the former Le Boulanger location at 20488 Stevens Creek Blvd., occupying approximately 6,550 square feet of retail space. The project is moving forward, with plans for tenant improvements already submitted. We are excited to welcome this investment to the community, further enhancing Cupertino’s diverse dining scene and expanding options for residents, employees, and visitors alike.
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Local Businesses Learn Marketing and Branding Strategies
On Thursday, September 10, the City of Cupertino, in partnership with the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce and Silicon Valley SBDC, hosted a digital marketing and branding business workshop for local businesses. The workshop provided attendees with practical strategies and tools to build memorable brands, effectively market their businesses through social media, increase visibility, strengthen credibility, and attract ideal customers.
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October Parks and Recreation Events
October is packed with events across Cupertino Parks and Recreation. Kick off the month with Na Leo Mokupuni ma Cupertino on October 3, featuring live hula, ukulele, island music, and cultural performances. Then, dogs can take over the Blackberry Farm pools at Pooch Plunge (sold out) on October 10.
Teens can join Pizza & Politics on October 15, followed by Hidden Treasures on October 22 and a night of Halloween fun at Monster Mash on October 24.
Learn more about upcoming events at cupertino.gov/events.
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Fall Bike Fest Brings Community Together
More than 800 participants of all ages gathered at Cupertino Civic Center Plaza on September 26 for the 13th Annual Fall Bike Fest. The event featured bike safety activities, games, arts and crafts, community bike rides, and opportunities to learn more about bicycling in Cupertino.
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Heritage India Faire Celebrates Culture and Community
Visitors and residents gathered at Memorial Park on Sunday, September 27 for the Heritage India Faire, a celebration of culture, cuisine, crafts, and community. Presented by the Cupertino-Bhubaneswar Sister Cities in partnership with the City of Cupertino and the Consulate General of India, San Francisco, the event brought the community together for a day of cultural exchange and entertainment.
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Pumpkin Pool-ooza
Cupertino Parks and Recreation hosted Cupertino’s first Pumpkin Pool-ooza on Sunday, September 27, welcoming 140 participants to Blackberry Farm Pool for a sold-out morning of fall fun.
Swimmers picked pumpkins straight from the pool before heading to the deck for decorating, games, music, and other seasonal activities.
Thanks to everyone who joined the fun and helped make the first Pumpkin Pool-ooza a splash!
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Citywide Garage Sale Celebrates 30 Years
On September 19 and 20, over 150 Cupertino residents hosted a garage sale during Cupertino's 30th Annual Citywide Garage Sale. Over 1,900 people from across the Bay Area used the City’s interactive map and list to shop vintage finds and keep items out of the landfill.
Thank you to everyone who participated as sellers and shoppers. The next Citywide Garage Sale is planned for 2027, with the exact date to be announced.
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Election Workers & Volunteers Needed
Santa Clara County is seeking paid election workers and volunteers for upcoming Vote Centers. High school students age 16+ are welcome to apply for the Election Officer Program. Paid positions start at $27.14/hour, and volunteer stipends are also available. Student applications are due October 2, 2026.
Learn more and apply through the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters.
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Electioneering Reminders
As the November 3 election approaches, candidates are reminded that California law prohibits electioneering within 100 feet of designated voting locations, including vote center entrances and outdoor ballot drop-off locations. Electioneering includes displaying campaign materials, distributing literature, or wearing campaign-related clothing or items.
Ballot Drop Boxes will be available beginning October 5, and Vote Centers will open October 31. Campaigning is also prohibited in designated City facilities, including City Hall, Community Hall, the Library, Quinlan Community Center, Senior Center, and Sports Center.
Maps and additional information are available on the “Electioneering” section of the City's Elections webpage.
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Cybersecurity Awareness Panel Event
Community members are invited to attend a Cybersecurity Public Awareness Event on Thursday, October 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cupertino Community Hall. The event will feature a panel of cybersecurity professionals sharing practical tips to help participants recognize online threats, avoid scams, and better protect personal information.
The program will include a presentation followed by a Q&A session, providing attendees with an opportunity to learn about current cybersecurity challenges and best practices for staying safe online. Registration is available at cupertino.gov/cybersecurityevent.
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Fall Block Leader Meeting
Join the City of Cupertino on Tuesday, October 13 at 6:30 p.m. for the Fall Block Leader Meeting and Potluck! Our featured topic will be Personal Emergency Preparedness. This meeting will take place at Quinlan Community Center in the Social Room located at 10185 N. Stelling Rd, Cupertino CA 95014.
The presentation will cover potential hazards in Cupertino, how to prepare as a household, and how to prepare as a neighborhood. All are welcome to join, so bring a neighbor or friend who is interested. As a reminder, Block Leaders are asked to attend at least one quarterly meeting each year. Please register through the event form.
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Cupertino Community Service Awards 2026
The third annual Cupertino Community Service Awards will be held on Wednesday, October 28, at Quinlan Community Center. The event will recognize the recipients of the 2026 CREST Awards and honor members serving on City commissions and committees for their contributions to the community.
This year's CREST Award recipients are Sarah Wang and Shivika Biswari (Rising Star), SunflowerMagic (Organization of the Year), Janet Anvick (Hometown Hero), and Bruce Parsons (Lifetime Achievement). The awards celebrate individuals and organizations that have made a meaningful impact through volunteerism and community service.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the program begins at 6 p.m. Space is limited, and registration is required. Learn more and RSVP at cupertino.gov/ccsa.
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City Manager Reports Posted Online
All City Manager Reports are posted with the Council agenda and can be found online at cupertino.gov/citycouncil.
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Subscribe to Other City Newsletters
Want to learn more about what's happening in the City? Sign up to receive notifications for the City's other publications below at cupertino.gov/enotification.
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Sheriff's Spotlight
Sign up for the Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff monthly newsletter!
Weekly Crime Reports
Check out all of the City's weekly crime reports at cupertino.gov/crimesummaries.
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Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
AlertSCC is the County of Santa Clara’s official emergency alert and warning system.
Register for AlertSCC and get emergency notifications for disasters, crime incidents and more at AlertSCC.org.
Find evacuation information and your zone at protect.genasys.com.
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Fire Department's Spotlight
Stay informed with the Santa Clara County Fire Department’s Monthly Newsletter, featuring fire safety tips, emergency preparedness information, and updates for Cupertino residents.
Read the SCCFD September 2026 Newsletter.
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SCCLD Spotlight
Get connected with the Santa Clara County Library District’s updates, featuring upcoming programs, resources, and services available to Cupertino residents.
Read the SCCLD Newsletters at sccld.org/news.
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